Housing was treated like a private casino
Issued : Tuesday 15 February, 2011
“The past experience of putting the interests of big developers and the banks ahead of people looking to purchase a modest home was a direct cause of Ireland’s disastrous property boom and bust, stated Labour’s Ann Phelan.
Councillor Phelan said that The Labour Party will reform housing policy in Ireland, so that the housing market is never again treated like a private casino. That Labour is committed to undoing the damage caused by Fianna Fáil’s recklessness, beginning with helping homeowners in distress to weather this recession.
Labour’s vision for housing policy puts people, and liveable communities, first by:
The best way to deal with distressed mortgages is prioritise keeping people in their homes.
- No repossessions for at least two years, where a person makes a genuine attempt to pay their mortgage on a home of modest size.
- Convert the Money Advice and Budgeting Service into a strengthened Personal Debt Management Agency with greater legal powers
- The agency will support families who make an honest effort to deal with their debts, including non-mortgage debt.
- The agency will provide protection from their creditors where appropriate, so that they have time to sort out their affairs.
- Make greater use of Mortgage Interest Supplement to support families who cannot meet their mortgage payments.
- Develop a coherent plan between Minister for the Environment, NAMA and local authorities to:
· Demolish or complete part built dwellings;
· Acquire properties by social landlords;
· Sell properties on the open market where possible;
· Dispose of dwellings by innovative means such as rent to buy and co-operative home ownership programmes.
Labour will reform how we plan for residential development, to prioritise liveable communities, and a healthier, safer environment.
· Link planning permission for residential developments to the provision of public transport, healthcare, recreational areas, shops and facilities.
· Local authorities will be required to carry out an ‘Educational Impact Assessment’ for all new zonings for residential development to ensure an adequate supply of school places.
· Require local authorities to carry out a flood risk report in the preparation of their City and County Development Plans, and manage flood risk through sustainable planning and development.
· Legislate to allow local authorities take housing estates ‘in charge’ after three years, and substantially increase existing penalties for those who break planning laws.
